# Scene V explained — Coriolanus

> Chapter companion for Coriolanus by William Shakespeare.

## What happens

Marcius and Titus Lartius enter a street in Corioli with Romans carrying spoils. Marcius scolds the looters for their greed and urges them to join the fight against Aufidius. Despite his wounds, Marcius insists on continuing to battle, leaving Lartius to secure the city.

## Themes in this chapter

### Honor and Valor

Marcius prioritizes combat over spoils, embodying the Roman ideal of martial honor and disdain for material greed.

## Character check-ins

### Caius Marcius Coriolanus

Scolds the Roman soldiers for looting and insists on rejoining the fight against Aufidius despite his wounds.

### Titus Lartius

Accompanies Marcius, expresses concern over his wounds, and is tasked with securing the city.

## Key lines

> See here these movers that do prize their hours At a crack'd drachm!

Look at these looters who value their time as little as a broken coin.

_Marcius criticizes the soldiers for wasting time on trivial spoils._

> The blood I drop is rather physical Than dangerous to me

The blood I shed is more like a healthy purge than a serious injury.

_Marcius downplays his wounds, asserting his resilience._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/coriolanus_se/chapters/act-i-scene-v
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/coriolanus_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/coriolanus_se/chapters